Dupont at fly-half as France seek to end barren run against South Africa

France face a major test of their rugby credentials when they take on South Africa at the Stade de France, with Antoine Dupont set to start at fly-half as Fabien Galthié attempts to end his side’s difficult run against the reigning world champions. The high-profile encounter brings together two of international rugby’s leading teams, but France enter the contest with a significant injury crisis and a record against the Springboks that highlights the scale of the challenge.

France face a difficult challenge against South Africa

The meeting carries considerable importance for both sides as the inaugural Nations Championship approaches its final stages. France, two-time consecutive Six Nations champions, will host South Africa, who have secured back-to-back Rugby World Cup titles. The contest offers France an opportunity to measure their progress against a team that has consistently proved difficult to overcome.

South Africa have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two nations over the past 15 years. The Springboks have also won their last five matches in Paris, leaving France with a particularly difficult record on home soil. France’s only victory during that period came in Marseille in 2022.

That success was followed by a painful defeat at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. South Africa eliminated the host nation in a dramatic quarter-final, winning 29-28 in a match that remains an important reference point in the rivalry.

Rassie Erasmus highlights respect for French supporters

South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus acknowledged the atmosphere surrounding matches against France and explained why his players approach the fixture with particular motivation.

“We tend to get up for the French team, out of respect,” Erasmus said. He also praised the support French fans provide, describing the atmosphere as something many South African players value experiencing.

Erasmus was reluctant to discuss whether South Africa would enter the match as favourites, arguing that the label would not change the team’s preparation. He also stressed that his players would not underestimate their opponents.

South Africa have their own selection concerns, with several established players unavailable. Frans Malherbe, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, André Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe are among those missing. Despite these absences, Erasmus has assembled a highly experienced squad, with the eight forwards in his starting team carrying almost as many international caps as the entire French XV.

Antoine Dupont moves to fly-half amid France injury crisis

France’s biggest selection problem is at fly-half. Regular options Matthieu Jalibert and Romain Ntamack are unavailable, while their usual alternatives, Thomas Ramos and Antoine Hastoy, are also missing.

With four key options absent, Galthié has chosen an unconventional solution by selecting Antoine Dupont at No. 10. Maxime Lucu will partner him at scrum-half, bringing two experienced playmakers together in an attempt to manage the absence of France’s specialist fly-halves.

Dupont has previously played at fly-half for Toulouse, making eight appearances in the position during an injury crisis in 2024. However, the role is not his regular position, and the challenge of directing France’s attack against South Africa will demand considerable adaptability.

Lucu also has experience at fly-half and recently filled in during France’s Test against Fiji after Ntamack was forced off with an injury. The possibility of Dupont and Lucu switching positions during the match gives France additional tactical flexibility.

Galthié described the selection as a major challenge but said the coaching staff had worked to find a solution. He explained that bringing together two leading French rugby figures from Toulouse and Bordeaux was considered the best available option for Friday night.

Injuries expose the pressure on French rugby players

France’s selection difficulties are part of a much wider injury problem. Galthié has used more than 100 players since June 2024, but 30 are currently unavailable through injury. According to the figures provided, those injured players account for 34% of France’s total playing time and 41% of the points scored during that period.

The absences extend across almost every position, including hooker, prop, lock, flanker, centre and full-back. However, the shortage of specialist fly-halves has created the most immediate problem for the coaching staff.

The situation has also raised questions about the physical demands placed on players by France’s domestic rugby system. Galthié has criticised the workload associated with the domestic structure, arguing that it can leave players physically worn down before their international careers have reached their full potential.

France have nevertheless looked to domestic rugby for a way forward. Galthié has selected players based on their Top 14 performances, while also recalling experienced internationals Julien Marchand and Grégory Alldritt to provide leadership in a relatively inexperienced squad.

France make coaching changes ahead of the Springboks test

The changes have not been limited to the playing squad. France have also adjusted their coaching structure by bringing in specialists with direct experience of the Top 14 competition.

Former coaches Shaun Edwards and Vlok Cilliers have left the national set-up. Maxime Petitjean, who previously worked with Toulon, has joined to oversee the team’s kicking strategy, while Geoffrey Doumayrou has arrived from Montpellier to take responsibility for the defence.

Doumayrou’s appointment is notable because he is relatively close to the playing generation he will now coach. The former France international, who represented his country as recently as 2019, moved into coaching after his playing career and helped Montpellier develop one of the league’s strongest defensive records.

These appointments reflect Galthié’s effort to bring the national team’s preparation closer to the realities of domestic rugby. With so many regular internationals unavailable, the coaching staff will need to find ways to build cohesion quickly.

A young French squad faces a major examination

France’s starting XV has a combined total of 611 international caps, with seven players having fewer than five appearances at Test level. The contrast with South Africa’s experienced forward pack underlines the challenge facing the hosts.

The return of Marchand and Alldritt should provide valuable experience, but the wider squad will need to handle the physical intensity and tactical demands that the Springboks are known for. France must also find a way to maintain attacking control despite fielding an unusual half-back combination.

South Africa’s recent victories, including their 32-17 win in Paris in 2025 despite playing half the match with 14 men, demonstrate why the visitors remain such a difficult opponent. France will need more than home support and individual brilliance to change that pattern.

Can Dupont help France end their losing run?

For France, the match represents another opportunity to address a rivalry that has repeatedly exposed the gap between their ambitions and their results against South Africa. Their narrow 29-28 defeat in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final showed how close they could come, but subsequent results have continued to favour the Springboks.

Galthié has consistently encouraged his players to believe they can achieve what he describes as something improbable. That belief will be tested by the scale of the injury crisis, the inexperience of several selections and the challenge of facing one of the most successful teams in modern international rugby.

Dupont’s move to fly-half will be one of the central talking points. His leadership and previous experience in the position offer France a possible solution, but the effectiveness of the partnership with Lucu will be crucial to the team’s attacking plans.

South Africa arrive with their own injury concerns but retain considerable experience and confidence from their recent record. France, meanwhile, have made changes to their squad and coaching staff in an effort to find a new approach.

Friday’s contest will show whether those adjustments have brought France closer to overcoming the Springboks or whether South Africa can extend their dominance in one of international rugby’s most closely watched rivalries.